Pride Spotlight: Adora From ‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’

Meredith
4 Min Read
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Welcome to the 23rd article of our 2021 Pride Month Series! Every day in the month of June, we are highlighting a different member of the LGBTQA+ community we think is a great example of representation and dynamic characterization. We will focus on fictional characters, celebrities, and activists alike — the positive voices within the LGBTQA+ community and in mainstream media.

In the height of the reboot era, there is one show that has raised the standards for the rest of them. Netflix’s 2018 reboot of She-Ra, titled She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, has transformed the 1980s era cartoon into a colorful and important story. The show stars Adora, a former force captain for the evil Horde army, who finds a magical sword that transforms her into a hero named She-Ra.

We first see Adora in the Fright Zone with her best friend Catra. Right away the chemistry between the two characters stands out as they navigate their training for the Horde together. When Catra gets upset, Adora is always the one by her side ready to comfort her. However, that all changes when Adora finds the sword and she realizes she’s been manipulated by her former mentor Shadow Weaver. Catra tries to convince Adora to return to the Fright Zone, but Adora refuses to return to the traumatizing place.

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That was only the beginning of Adora’s story. She discovers that her status as the princess She-Ra allows her to attend the Princess Prom. Once there, she sees her friend Catra with the princess Scorpia, another force captain from the Horde. Adora’s feelings for Catra grow as they slow dance together; though it was a distraction so that the Horde could capture Adora’s friends. At one point the two become trapped in an ancient cave together, and they realize that they’ve always had something between them, even back when they were little kids growing up in the Horde.

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Throughout the five seasons, Adora’s feelings for Catra become murky and confused. She deeply cares for her former best friend, but it becomes increasingly difficult to help Catra until the former friend tries to destroy Etheria. Adora realizes that she can’t do anything to help her friend because Catra doesn’t want to be saved. She makes the hard choice to let her go until the beginning of season five.

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The final season sees Catra figure out how badly she was treated in the Horde and turn her back on Horde Prime, the season’s main villain. Adora finds out and saves her from being brainwashed. We see their relationship grow until the last episode, where the love between Catra and Adora is strong enough to save Etheria from being destroyed. When they finish, they embrace each other and promise to always be together.

Adora’s relationship with Catra is the heart of the show. Her determination and love for her best friend are crucial to their relationship and the reason that they were able to become a couple at the end. Adora also shows that anyone can change their path in life; they just have to be willing to accept help. She was the one who helped Catra realize that she deserves to live a happy life too. Adora is a fantastic representative of standing up for what’s right and being who you truly are.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next Pride Spotlight!

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Meredith is a kennel technician by day and a fangirl by night! She loves all things Supernatural, Marvel, and Disney. She's also known on the roller derby track as Jared Smashalecki. You can find her on Twitter as @smashalecki!
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